MOVING Chard’s market out of the town centre would prove the death knell of the long-standing fixture, according to angered traders.

Stallholders have threatened to pull out of the town if the switch goes ahead and a petition against the move has been launched.

Chard Town Council’s Saturday Market Working Group has been looking at ways to improve the market and increase business to make Chard a more vibrant place to visit.

Among its recommendations, approved by the town council at a recent meeting, was relocating the market to the Lace Mill in Holyrood Street.

At the meeting, it was also agreed that the council would canvas shoppers’ and traders’ opinions and submit an application for grant funding for new stalls to South Somerset District Council’s Area West committee.

The News visited the market on Saturday morning to hear what traders and shoppers had to say.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Fishmonger Daren Robinson said: “I think it’s downright rude that the town council hasn’t spoken to traders before the item was put before the council – they should have talked to us.

“We have tried the market at the Lace Mill before and it was awful – the market and many of the traders were on their last legs and if it went there again we would lose the market.

“I am all for improving the market and promoting it, and trying to get more traders, but this move would kill us off.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Jim Morrison, of the Jim’s Pet Food stall, said: “My view as a trader is that I have spoken to the traders who were there before who say the market almost died in that location.

“I have said if it moves I will pull out of the market and I have already lined up other potential markets to go to. But I live in the town and I want to support the town.

“It is too far for many of our typical customers to walk over there and we have had a lot of support from the shoppers.

“It would take the market town feel away from Chard – this is the place for it.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Chard’s longest-standing stallholder, known locally as ‘Ray the Butcher’, has been in place 37 years and he told The News if the market is moved away from its central location by the Guildhall he will pack up shop for good.

Ray said: “We had a marvellous market in Boden Street but then it moved to the Lace Mill and we lost more than half of our traders.

“I have seen every change to the market over the last almost 40 years and if it moves back I shall retire and pack it all in.”

More than 100 people signed a petition during the early part of Saturday morning urging the town council not to move the market.

Chard & Ilminster News:

After greengrocer Tony Smith addressed the town council at its February meeting last Monday, Mayor Cllr Jenny Kenton agreed that the working party would take on board all the comments, take into consideration the petition and agreed that members will meet traders to discuss the issues.

Mr Smith told The News: “We welcome the fact that the council has agreed to have discussions with us but the sequence seems all out of order – it should have happened before the council meeting took place.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Saturday morning shoppers also backed the traders’ calls to keep the market in its current prominent position.